All my life I have been hearing about college: the friendships I’ll make, the classes I’ll take, and the experiences I’ll have.

The time that I spend in college has been described as something that I will never be able to duplicate … but getting through the college application process is a whole other thing. No one told me it would be this difficult!

Some of the seniors I have conversed with have described the application process as exciting and even “fun,” but the vast majority of students I have complained to find it tedious and tiresome, and I concur.

There is no denying the importance of a higher education, but with that said, I must commend the colleges on how strenuous they make it for us students to ascend to their institutions.

Being close to the end of my own college process, I feel like I have garnered some insight about the whole application “thing” that might be helpful to families and students alike who are planning to embark on the process next application season: August–December.

The application process is far more extensive than one realizes, and as expert college counselor Susanna Cerasuolo informs me, it consists of: volunteering, resume, test prep, testing, college list, campus visits, essay rough drafts, edited essays, interviews, transcripts, recommendation letters, applications, representative school visits, and complete application verifications.

This checklist is as necessary as it is imposing, but even so, the application process is more broadly defined by three categories:

• Testing

• College List

• Application

Starting with junior year, the process becomes real. If you have taken the PSAT, I am sure your inbox is already swarming with emails from colleges, some you have heard of, and others you have never heard of in your entire life. The PSAT serves as the precursor for ACT and SAT testing and for those, preparation courses are available and helpful.

When choosing your colleges, make sure you keep in mind your academic goals and interests. Nothing would be worse than going to a college that you’ll be unhappy at. Campus visits are a great way to get a feel of a prospective campus, but airfare can be pricey. If that is the case, meeting with your school counselor and reading a copy of the Princeton Review are great alternatives.

Actually applying is by far the most stressful part of it all.

Every college has its own deadlines usually scattered throughout November, December, and January. Regular decision is the latest deadline, early action is an earlier deadline, and early decision is an earlier binding deadline.

Filling out all of the personal information and writing all the supplements will take some time, but think of the sense of accomplishment you’ll feel when you finally click “submit app.”

Although intimidating, the application process is not impenetrable. It is something to be complained about, but cheered for as well. Though it is a lot of work, let’s be honest, at the end of the day, who doesn’t want to get into the school of their dreams? Read my column next week for helpful tips and application advice!

Kirkland Reporter intern Zach Shucklin is a senior at International Community School. Contact him with comments or column ideas at zshucklin@kirklandreporter.com